Reports and Reflections on Southeast Asia: Indonesia, the Philippines and the Diaspora

FPAC returns to LA’s historic Filipinotown

It just feels right. That’s the sentiment I heard over and over from folks who gathered at Echo Park over the weekend for the 25th Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture. And I have to agree. With the downtown skyline just south and a gorgeous afternoon sun reflected in the lake, the day was filled with memories of the local neighborhood and things to come for a resilient and ever-changing community.

The vegetables and gardening booth at FPAC honored contributions from Filipino elders and traditional agriculture.

The food booths seemed to quadruple in size, reflecting the surging Filipino food scene in L.A. Music and dancing filled the air.

Participants addressed the question, What is Filpino to You? with a range of creative answers.

Still, issues in the local neighborhood with gentrification are serious and loaded. I heard this, also, from many people attending. And perhaps that’s why having the festival return to HiFi is more important than ever – an affirmation that the community is not going anywhere and still plays a vital role in shaping what happens next for local residents and businesses.

Patola, sitaw, talong, ampalaya!

Big props to all the staff, volunteers and artists at FPAC, that made the festival a success! As always, for anyone who wants to support the important work that FilAm Arts does each and every year, check out FilAm ARTS.